Then and Now: Fort Bonifacio

It all started here. Fort McKinley (which became Fort Bonifacio) during the American period.

I remember back in the 90s when Fort Bonifacio was purely a military base. I used to be there on Saturdays for ROTC, practicing our drills at the Bonifacio Naval Station, and taking afternoon naps at the nearby grandstand. Back then there was nothing much to see but low rise offices and open fields. Probably the only distinguishable landmarks would be the two cemeteries (American War Memorial and Libingan ng mga Bayani) in the vicinity.

The American War Memorial, among others, remains a part of Fort Bonifacio.

But things are different now, as Fort Bonifacio has transformed into a premier business and residential hub. Part of the military base is still there, as well as the American War Memorial and the Libingan ng mga Bayani. But a significant portion of the estate is now a thriving community.

First part of development. Bonifacio Global City

First off is Bonifacio Global City (BGC), the development that started it all. Since 2003, it has slowly grown into a business and residential center that rivals Makati and Ortigas. Some major corporations have made the shift to move their headquarters to BGC over the last decade. Other ventures have also risen in the area, such as a world class hospital, several internationalschools, and a complete shopping and dining complex. Further expansion is happening at the moment, with a huge science museum in the works.

The aura of Venice is captured by McKinley Hill.

McKinley Hill, a project of Megaworld Corporation, an up and coming development in the Fort Bonifacio area. This 50-hectare estate is dubbed as “The Most Beautiful New Township in Metro Manila”, where one can “live, work, and play”, all in one place. McKinley Hill’s main attraction is The Venetian Mall, a shopping center inspired by The Grand Canal of Venice. Embassies and schools are also present in this growing community.

Sample brochure of The Venice Luxury Residences. Click image for a larger version.

Among the residential properties rising in McKinley Hill is The Venice Luxury Residences. It has amenities such as relaxation areas and landscaped gardens, and offers the luxury and comfort of nearby establishments. Sounds good? The Venice units can be availed via UnionBank financing, which also entitles the borrower to other incentives.

So what do you think? Has Fort Bonifacio changed radically over the years? Do you see yourself being a part of the new townships? Speak your mind and hit us up in the comments section below.

Credit to the owners for the photos. Special thanks to SkyscraperCity.